"Dancing to My Music Is a Mistake": Blessing Shumba on Worship, Not Entertainment
Blessing Shumba's timeless music productions have firmly positioned him on the front row of the gospel genre. From humble beginnings in Buhera to topping national charts, his journey is a testament to faith, resilience, and a divine calling to preach through song.
From Rejection to Recognition
Shumba's passion for music began in 2001 when he formed the choral group 'Vakushi veShoko'. After the group dismantled, he persevered, writing his first solo song in 2008. Initially, his music was deemed "unmarketable" by some recording companies, but a chance encounter with a National FM presenter who played his song "Handina Mhaka" gave him the encouragement to release his debut album, 'Ishe Wazvose', in 2009.
His breakthrough came with his second album, 'Ndimwari' (2010), which carried the hit song 'Mufaro'. The album was voted Outstanding Album at the 2012 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA). His success continued, and he was recently rewarded for topping the Radio Zimbabwe Coca-Cola Top 50 charts with his song ‘Chimwe Nechimwe’.
A Ministry in Music
"My music is a calling," Shumba explains. "As you know I am also a pastor. I do not do music for people to dance, I bring it out the same way I prepare a sermon. So if you find yourself dancing to my music, it is a mistake because my music is like an audio Bible." This approach has defined his slow, emotion-provoking style that resonates deeply with listeners.
Shumba has a heart for service. He dispelled rumors that he was once incarcerated, clarifying that he used to visit prisons to preach and pray with inmates. This led to a collaborative album with Mutare Remand Prison inmates and officers. In 2013, he was also appointed a brand ambassador for the Manicaland National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ).
The Man Behind the Music
Born in Buhera in 1979, Blessing Shumba is the last born in a family of ten. He is a dedicated family man, married to Pauline Shumba (née Chipakatira), with whom he has been blessed with two sets of twins. A former pastor in the Mugodhi Apostolic Church, he now serves in the Christ Fellowship Assemblies.
Shumba has faced his share of challenges, including comparisons to fellow artist Matthias Mhere. He clarifies that any similarities were due to using the same producer and backing vocalists. At one point, after his former band members left, he was "left with Mrs Shumba only." Yet, they managed to rebuild, and with a new team, he won his recent Radio Zimbabwe award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blessing Shumba is an award-winning and popular Zimbabwean gospel artist and pastor, known for his emotion-provoking music which he describes as an "audio Bible."
His second album, 'Ndimwari' (2010), is widely considered his breakthrough work. It won the Outstanding Album award at the 2012 NAMAs and featured the massive hit song 'Mufaro'.
No. He has clarified that rumors of his incarceration stemmed from his extensive prison ministry work, which included recording a collaborative album with inmates and prison officers.
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